Christopher Elliott

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can't. He's the author of numerous books on consumer advocacy and writes three nationally syndicated columns. He also publishes the Elliott Report, a news site for consumers, and Elliott Confidential, a critically acclaimed newsletter about customer service. If you have a consumer problem you can't solve, contact him directly through his advocacy website. You can also follow him on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or sign up for his daily newsletter.

Keith Cantrell's new refrigerator is making a loud buzzing sound. GE can't fix it, and Home Depot won't let him return it. What should he do?

His refrigerator won’t stop buzzing. Will Home Depot take it back?

January 19, 2024July 12, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Keith Cantrell’s new refrigerator is making a loud buzzing sound. GE can’t fix it, and Home Depot won’t let him return it. What should he do?

When William Houck returns his rental car to LAX, Budget tries to charge him a fee for refueling and cleaning. But he brought the car back with a full gas tank, and it was clean. How can he fight these charges?

Budget wants to charge me for refueling and cleaning. Is that allowed?

May 4, 2024July 10, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

When William Houck returns his rental car to LAX, Budget tries to charge him a fee for refueling and cleaning. But he brought the car back with a full gas tank, and it was clean. How can he fight these charges?

My son sat next to the world's worst tourist on a flight from Sydney to Denpasar, Indonesia. His seatmate nursed a bottle of sizzurp -- a potent mix of codeine and Sprite -- and the man twitched uncontrollably for the seven-hour flight to Bali.

Travel tip: Beware of bad tourists this summer!

June 20, 2024July 9, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

My son sat next to the world’s worst tourist on a flight from Sydney to Denpasar, Indonesia. His seatmate nursed a bottle of sizzurp — a potent mix of codeine and Sprite — and the man twitched uncontrollably for the seven-hour flight to Bali.

Frontier Airlines overcharged Abbey Colville for her luggage on a recent flight from Denver to Detroit. Way overcharged her.

What should you do when an airline overcharges you for luggage?

August 21, 2025July 7, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Frontier Airlines overcharged Abbey Colville for her luggage on a recent flight from Denver to Detroit. Way overcharged her.

When Robert Preuss tries to buy a Fisher-Price Power Wheels Dune Racer from Amazon, he can't complete the purchase. Amazon offers to fix the problem but then reneges, leaving him with a $304 bill.

Did Amazon bait-and-switch me on this toy car I ordered online?

February 2, 2024July 5, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

When Robert Preuss tries to buy a Fisher-Price Power Wheels Dune Racer from Amazon, he can’t complete the purchase. Amazon offers to fix the problem but then reneges, leaving him with a $304 bill.

Peter Holt prepays $66 for two checked bags on his Avianca flight from San Jose, Costa Rica, to Mexico City.

I had to pay twice for my checked luggage on Avianca. I want a refund!

February 13, 2024July 2, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Peter Holt prepays $66 for two checked bags on his Avianca flight from San Jose, Costa Rica, to Mexico City. Why did he pay twice?

Never touch the airline seat in front of you. Don't use it as a brace, and definitely no drum solos on the tray table. Here's why.

Why you should never touch the airline seat in front of you

December 22, 2024July 2, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Never touch the airline seat in front of you. Don’t use it as a brace, and definitely no drum solos on the tray table. Here’s why.

Try as hard as he might, Daniel Conti can't redeem his $200 Verizon gift card. He's called Verizon. He's written. He's chatted online. But the card doesn't work.

Why can’t I redeem my Verizon gift card?

January 19, 2024June 28, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Try as hard as he might, Daniel Conti can’t redeem his $200 Verizon gift card.

He’s called Verizon. He’s written. He’s chatted online. But the card doesn’t work.

A critical part of Jaimin Patel's Mitsubishi Lancer is corroded. Although he pays for the repair, Mitsubishi ultimately recalls the component. Why won't the company cover his costs?

Mitsubishi issued a recall for my car. Why won’t it pay for the repair?

January 19, 2024June 27, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

A critical part of Jaimin Patel’s Mitsubishi Lancer is corroded. Although he pays for the repair, Mitsubishi ultimately recalls the component. Why won’t the company cover his costs?

Angela Hall finds cameras pointed at the bed in her Hawaii vacation rental. She checks out and Vrbo offers to refund her for a hotel and the remainder of her stay. But it never does. What's going on?

My vacation rental had cameras in the bedroom. Can I get a refund?

March 20, 2024June 26, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Angela Hall finds cameras pointed at the bed in her Hawaii vacation rental. She checks out and Vrbo offers to refund her for a hotel and the remainder of her stay. But it never does. What’s going on?

Christopher Elliott

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